Founded in 1954, one of San Diego County’s longest running environmental nonprofit marks its impact on regional pollution prevention, conservation and environmental education
San Diego County CA— Over 65 years, I Love A Clean San Diego has partnered with tens of thousands of volunteers to prevent millions of pounds of litter from entering San Diego County’s watershed and the ocean. At its most recent Coastal Cleanup Day, more than 6,500 residents countywide collected over 145,000 pounds of litter and debris in just three hours. And, during Earth Week 2020, the nonprofit is set to meet those goals again with its signature Creek to Bay Cleanup in April.
However, I Love A Clean San Diego has matured into more than just the region’s largest cleanup crew. It has established robust environmental education and outreach programs that provide the county’s youth and adults with solutions and alternatives to adopt zero waste practices.
“I Love A Clean San Diego has become the heart of our region’s environmental lifestyle in action,” said Len Hering, the organization’s executive director. “Our programs are all about engagement. When people learn through the classroom or workshop setting and then volunteer at events, they see how critical it is to conserve and stop our dependence on polluting products like single-use plastics.”
This year alone, I Love A Clean San Diego will have engaged nearly 90,000 residents and businesses countywide through volunteerism, educational resources and recycling guidance. This includes a diverse range of local companies seeking assistance with waste reduction efforts, which benefit the environment and reduce costs. Hering cited one company that completely overhauled its internal employee dining practices after one eye-opening sustainability presentation provided by I Love A Clean San Diego.
“Shortly after we presented to their group, I received a message from them informing me their company had removed all plastic and disposable food serving items from cups to utensils, and replaced them with reusable alternatives,” said Hering. “In addition, they also reprogrammed their food delivery systems to reduce food waste, which will save the company thousands of dollars per year.”
Today, I Love a Clean San Diego is making strides to better secure its financial sustainability, having formed an endowment with the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. Gifts to help fund the endowment can be made directly to I Love A Clean San Diego by contacting Ian Monahan at (619) 291-0103 or online at CleanSD.org.
“This is one reason our benefit events and donor engagement are so important,” said Hering. “We do receive some government grant funding to run programs, but it’s not enough to realize the impact we can really have. We are an organization that creates a public-private nexus to extend our reach. Fully funding our endowment over the coming years will ensure our high-quality education and volunteer programs grow stronger.”
Over the next five years, I Love A Clean San Diego seeks to
- Fully fund its endowment to ensure financial sustainability
- Engage new communities and volunteers in San Diego County who have not yet turned to I Love A Clean San Diego as a countywide resource.
- Expand environmental education programming for youth and adults
- Engage more corporations in environmental education that benefits the company culture and bottom line through campaigns like Green Business Solutions.
I Love A Clean San Diego first emerged as the City and County of San Diego both identified a clear need for a citizen-appointed committee to curb the most prevalent environmental issue at the time: litter. Thus, the War Against Litter Committee was born. Although managed completely by volunteers, the organization was able to retain a local advertising agency to fight litter through creative slogans, mascots and media events. In the 1970’s the name of the War Against Litter Committee changed to embrace residents’ admiration for the beauty and environmental diversity of San Diego County. I Love A Clean San Diego became the new moniker and a registered 501(c)(3), serving the communities of San Diego County.
I Love A Clean San Diego 65th Anniversary Benefit Celebration Details
- Tickets and Underwriting: Visit CleanSD.org to purchase tickets and learn about underwriting the event.
- Who: More than 200 business and community leaders who support our zero waste vision for San Diego County.
- What: An upbeat social mixer and dinner cruise on Mission Bay, featuring live music, entertainment, silent and live auctions, and more aboard the elegant William D. Evans sternwheeler. We will also be recognizing outstanding volunteers, educators, and advocates who partner with I Love A Clean San Diego to inspire conservation and environmental action throughout our region.
- Why: 100% of your gift to I Love A Clean San Diego’s work stays local and impacts the communities of San Diego County. Celebrate the history and accomplishments of I Love A Clean San Diego’s nonprofit mission and help raise critical funds to support our environmental education and volunteer programs.
- When: Thursday, November 7, 2019 – 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: The William D. Evans sternwheeler, departing from the Bahia Resort Hotel, 998 W Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
About I Love A Clean San Diego
As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love A Clean San Diego is a nonprofit environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering everyone to improve the health and beauty of our local environment. For sixty-five years, we’ve brought the best in all of us together for a lasting, positive impact on our region. We are passion in action. To learn more or volunteer, visit CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.